This is taken from the Wikipedia article about the magical and religious movement stemming from the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus;
Hermes Trismegistus depicted as Caucasian in a medieval rendering. However, some believe that if Hermes was from Ancient Egypt, he is more likely to have had African characteristics.Hermeticism is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the writings of Hermetism, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. Sometimes it isn't even differentiated from Hermetism, as in the Kybalion. These beliefs have had the impact of effecting magic traditions and further, the impact of serving as a set of religious beliefs. Whatever the impact of the beliefs, they stem from teachings and books accredited to Hermes Trismegistus, who is put forth as a wise sage and Egyptian priest, commonly seen as synonymous with the Egyptian god Thoth.
Hermeticism is closely related to occultism: avoiding persecution through secrecy , focusing on the concept of God, astrology, alchemy, and theurgy. The traditional secrecy surrounding Hermetic philosophy gave rise to the term "hermetically sealed" and many Hermeticists still feel uncomfortable throwing their pearls to swine.
The roots of Hermeticism come from Hermetism, but Hermetism's roots are debated. Some scholars feel that Hermetism is a Greek movement which developed around the time of Christianity. Other scholars, primarily from occult circles, trace Hermetism's roots to Egypt and its mystery schools. There are a few others who go further and trace Hermetism to Atlantis, in which some survivors handed their wisdom down to the people of Egypt.
Source ; Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism
The spelling Magick as opposed to Magic was first coined by Aleister Crowley . Today it is used by many Hermetic Magicians and Alchemists to denote the difference between legardemain ( watch the hand in french ) sleight of hand Magic parlor tricks and the elemental Magick that all humans are capable of .
Subject: What is hermetic magick? 
Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:43 am
